
Community identification
Plaster Bagworm
Phereoeca uterella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Tineidae
- Size
- Case length is typically 8 mm to 14 mm (0.3 to 0.5 inches).
Natural Habitat
Widely found inside homes, garages, and sheds, especially in warm, humid climates; they are often seen on walls, ceilings, and under furniture.
Diet & Feeding
The larvae feed on spiderwebs, wool, silk, hair, and various household detritus.
Behavior Patterns
The larva constructs a protective silk case covered in sand, dust, and lint, which is wider in the middle than at the ends; both ends of the case are open, allowing the larva to move in either direction. It undergoes complete metamorphosis, eventually emerging from the case as a small moth.
Risks & Benefits
They are considered minor household pests because they can damage natural fibers like wool and silk. They pose no direct health risk to humans or pets but may occasionally consume beneficial spiderwebs.